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  • 2/14/2025

    JCPenney closing eight stores in 2025 — here’s where

    JC Penney exterior

    JCPenney is shuttering a handful of its approximate 650 stores nationwide.

    The department store retailer will close eight locations by mid-2025 reported USA Today. (Locations at end of article). According to the report, the closures are not related to JCPenney’s recent merger with SPARC Group.

    In January, JCPenney and SPARC Group (a joint venture of brand management firm Authentic Brands Group, Simon Property Group and Shein) combined to form a new organization, called Catalyst Brands. It is made up of SPARC’s Aéropostale, Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer, Lucky Brand and Nautica brands, as well as JCPenney.

    “The decision to close a store is never an easy one, but isolated closures do happen from time to time due to expiring lease agreements, market changes or other factors,” JCPenney said in a statement. “These closures are unrelated to the recent Catalyst Brands merger.”

    Here are the locations of the JCPenney stores slated to close this year (via the USA Today report).

    •The Shops at Tanforan, San Bruno, Calif;

    •The Shops At Northfield, Denver;

    •Pine Ridge Mall, Pocatello, Idaho;

    •West Ridge Mall, Topeka, Kan.;

    •Westfield Annapolis Mall, Annapolis, Md.;

    •Fox Run Mall, Newington, N.H.;

    •Asheville Mall, Asheville, N.C.; and

    •Charleston Town Center, Charleston, W.V.

  • 2/14/2025

    Cumberland Farms parent EG America streamlines store management

    Cumberland Farms

    Convenience store giant EG America is deploying a task management platform to enhance store operations.

    The company, operator of Certified Oil, Cumberland Farms, Kwik Shop, Tom Thumb and other convenience-store chains, is rolling out the Quorso Intelligent Management Platform for store operations throughout its more than 1,500 retail and fuel locations.

    Leveraging Quorso technology, EG America plans to consolidate siloed solutions such as tasks, surveys, performance analytics, and exception reporting into a comprehensive platform that enhances store performance by enabling employees to do their jobs more efficiently.

    “Quorso is a significant enhancement from legacy reporting and traditional task management systems,” said Elizabeth Pierce, COO, EG America. “The platform enables us to take a more personalized, data-driven approach to operational improvements in every store. It also drastically reduces the overwhelming amount of data that our store teams have to process.”

    [READ MORE: C-store chain expands mobile payment options]

    EG America is part of U.K.-based EG Group, which entered the United States in 2018 when it acquired the Kroger’s Co.’s convenience store business. The U.S. is now the company’s largest market, both by revenue and sites.

    With more than 1,500 retail locations, EG America is the operator of Certified Oil, Cumberland Farms, Fastrac, Kwik Shop, Loaf N’ Jug, Minit Mart, Quik Stop, Sprint Food Stores, Tom Thumb and Turkey Hill stores.

  • 2/14/2025

    Wakefern merchandising chief joins Rite Aid C-suite

    Bryant Harris

    Rite Aid is adding new talent to its C-suite post-bankruptcy.

    The drug store chain has hired Bryant Harris as its new senior VP and chief merchandising officer. In the new role, Harris will oversee assortment, procurement, pricing, visual merchandising and store design, and work closely with the store operations and marketing teams to deliver “customer-centric shopping experiences.”

    Harris joins Rite Aid from Wakefern Food Corporation, where he served as chief merchandising officer for nearly five years. Prior to Wakefern, he served as chief commercial officer at discount grocer Save A Lot for two years. He also spent 15 years in various roles at Sam’s Club.

    [READ MORE: Rite Aid exits bankruptcy; names insider as new CEO]

    “As we continue to strengthen our business and accelerate our transformation plan, we are pleased to welcome Bryant to Rite Aid,” said Matt Schroeder, CEO of Rite Aid, who took the reins last September. “As an accomplished leader driven by excellence, Bryant will be a great addition to the team to help further our mission to provide thoughtful, personalized experiences that support our customers’ health and wellness goals.”

    According to its website, Rite Aid currently operates 1,253 stores in 15 states. Due to its 2023 Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, the chain has slashed its store footprint in the past year.

    “I am excited to join Rite Aid to continue advancing the merchandising strategy that delivers a compelling product mix and a shopping experience that meets our customers’ expectations,” said Harris. “I look forward to collaborating with the team and our suppliers to ensure we provide the products our communities need to live their healthiest life.”

  • 2/13/2025

    Target doubles down on beauty

    Target beauty products

    Target is expanding its online and in-store beauty assortment with an emphasis on value. 

    The retailer introducing more than 2,000 products and nearly 50 new brands to its beauty assortment. Prices start at $1.29, with 90% of the new arrivals selling for under $20.

    In Target stores, customers will find special beauty displays pointing to new and notable brands. Online, it has curated new makeup, skin and hair must-haves in one place. Also, Target's online beauty studio features a virtual try-on feature that lets consumers try face, eye, lip, nail and hair color options. It also has hair care and skin care quizzes to help consumers land on the right products.

    In a special promotion, customers who spend $30 on beauty products from Feb. 22–March 1, will receive a $5 Target gift card through Target Circle.

    “We know consumers love shopping beauty at Target because it’s Tarzhay at its best: the combination of amazing products and prices you can’t find anywhere else,” said Amanda Nusz, Target’s senior VP of essentials and beauty. “That’s why our team is incredibly excited to add more than 2,000 new items to our assortment — including science-focused skin care, hair care, nail care, cosmetics and fragrance.”

    The product assortment is comprised of top national brands, Target brands and new, emerging brands, including those created by Black, Latino, female and other diverse founders. 

    In January, Target announced plans to  introduce more than 2,000 new items across multiple wellness categories.

    [READ MORE: Target expands wellness assortment with emphasis on value]

  • 2/13/2025

    Chain Store Age will be closed on Presidents' Day

    Happy Presidents day concept made from American flag and the text on dark stone background.; Shutterstock ID 2410208357

    The offices of Chain Store Age will be closed Monday, Feb. 17 in observance of Presidents' Day. 

    DayBreaker will resume regular publication on Tuesday, Feb. 18.

  • 2/13/2025

    Survey: Consumers still changing habits, cutting back due to high grocery costs

    Eggs

    Ongoing high grocery prices are leading consumers to cut back on staple items.

    New data from software company UserTesting reveals that more than three-quarters (77%) have changed their grocery habits due to rising food costs, with 65% cutting back on staples like eggs and meat due to rising costs.

    About nine-in-10 (89%) survey respondents said they are concerned about grocery prices continuing to rise over the next six months, and 51% are more stressed due to higher prices. Nearly 84% of respondents said their grocery bills have increased compared to a year ago, with 25% spending an additional $100 or more each week compared to last year.

    [READ MORE: Study: Southern states spend highest percentage of income on groceries]

    While almost three-quarters (73%) of respondents primarily shop for groceries at national grocery chains, a large percentage (68%) are shifting to discount retailers like Aldi and Walmart for more affordable options. More than half (52%) have stopped buying a brand they were once loyal to due to rising prices.

    When asked by UserTesting what would be most helpful for grocery stores to do in response to rising costs, 42% want grocery stores to do a better job highlighting sales and promotions in-store and online.

    According to the latest Consumer Price Index report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall inflation rose 0.5% in January following a 0.4% bump in December.

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